Follow-up run control device

ABSTRACT

A follow-up run control device controlling a running state of a vehicle in a state where peripheral vehicles running before or behind the vehicle exist includes: deviation acquiring means for acquiring information regarding a deviation between a relative positional relation and a target relative positional relation of the vehicle and the peripheral vehicles with respect to preceding vehicles running just before; and follow-up control amount calculating means for calculating a follow-up control amount of the vehicle to control the running state of the vehicle on the basis of the information regarding the deviations of a plurality of vehicles acquired by the deviation acquiring means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a follow-up run control device controlling a running state of a vehicle in a state where peripheral vehicles running before or behind the vehicle exist.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, to reduce a driver's burden in driving a vehicle, a technique of controlling a running state of a vehicle on the basis of a running state of a preceding vehicle has attracted attention. A driving support system described in Patent Literature 1 is known as such a follow-up run control technique. In such a system, inter-vehicle control is carried out by considering a preceding vehicle of a vehicle and a pre-preceding vehicle as a temporary preceding vehicle and selecting one larger in target deceleration or one smaller in target acceleration out of the preceding vehicle and the pre-preceding vehicle as a tracking target.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2002-104015

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, in this driving support system, since control following only the running state of one vehicle selected out of the preceding vehicle and the pre-preceding vehicle is carried out, the running state of the other vehicle is not considered. That is, the driving support system could not carry out follow-up run control of a vehicle in consideration of the running states of plural peripheral vehicles around the vehicle.

Therefore, a goal of the invention is to provide a follow-up run control device which can carry out follow-up run control in consideration of the movements of plural vehicles around a vehicle.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a follow-up run control device controlling a running state of a vehicle in a state where peripheral vehicles running before or behind the vehicle exist, including: deviation acquiring means for acquiring information regarding a deviation between a relative positional relation and a target relative positional relation of the vehicle and the peripheral vehicles with respect to preceding vehicles running just before; and follow-up control amount calculating means for calculating a follow-up control amount of the vehicle to control the running state of the vehicle on the basis of the information regarding the deviations of a plurality of vehicles acquired by the deviation acquiring means.

According to this follow-up run control device, the information regarding the deviations of the peripheral vehicles is acquired in addition to the information regarding the deviation of the vehicle and the follow-up control amount of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of the acquired information regarding the deviations of the plural vehicles. Accordingly, the follow-up control amount is calculated in consideration of the movements of the preceding vehicles of the peripheral vehicles in addition to the movement of the preceding vehicle of the vehicle, whereby it is possible to carry out the follow-up run control of the vehicle in consideration of the running states of the plural peripheral vehicles.

Specifically, when m (where m=2, 3, . . . ) peripheral vehicles exist, the follow-up control amount u of the vehicle calculated by the follow-up control amount calculating means may be expressed by the following expression,

u = k₁D₁ + c₁D₁^(′) + k₂(D₁ + D₂) + c₂(D₁^(′) + D₂^(′)) + … + k_(m)(D₁ + D₂ + … + D_(m)) + c_(m)(D₁^(′) + D₂^(′) + … + D_(m)^(′)) where D₁ represents the deviation between the relative positional relation and the target relative positional relation of the vehicle with respect to the preceding vehicle thereof, D₁′ represents the temporal differentiation of the deviation D₁, D_(n) represents the deviation between the relative positional relation and the target relative positional relation of the (n−1)-th peripheral vehicle before the vehicle with respect to the preceding vehicle thereof, D_(n), represents the temporal differentiation of the deviation D_(n), and k₁ to k_(m) and c₁ to c_(m) are constants.

The follow-up control amount u of the vehicle is calculated by the follow-up control amount calculating means while specifically considering the movements of the plural peripheral vehicles.

The deviation acquiring means may acquire the information regarding the deviations of the peripheral vehicles by inter-vehicle communications with the corresponding peripheral vehicles, and the follow-up control amount calculating means may calculate the follow-up control amount of the vehicle and the follow-up control amounts of the peripheral vehicles on the basis of the information regarding the deviations of a plurality of vehicles acquired by the deviation acquiring means.

According to this configuration, the vehicle can easily acquire the information regarding the deviations of the peripheral vehicles by the inter-vehicle communication and can carry out the run control in cooperation with the vehicle and the peripheral vehicles by calculating the follow-up control amount of the vehicle and the follow-up control amount of the peripheral vehicles.

The follow-up run control device may further include vehicle lane probability acquiring means for acquiring a vehicle lane probability representing the likelihood that one peripheral vehicle exists in the same lane as the vehicle, and the follow-up control amount calculating means may calculate the follow-up control amount of the vehicle additionally on the basis of the vehicle lane probabilities of the peripheral vehicles.

According to this configuration, when it is assumed that a peripheral vehicle slowly cuts in the vehicle lane, the vehicle lane probability of the corresponding peripheral vehicle slowly increases. Since the follow-up run control device of the vehicle calculates the follow-up control amount of the vehicle while also considering the vehicle lane probability of the corresponding peripheral vehicle, it is possible to smoothly enhance the influence of the peripheral vehicle on the follow-up control amount of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent discontinuous run control of the vehicle due to the cutting-in of the peripheral vehicle.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the follow-up run control device according to the invention, it is possible to carry out a follow-up run in consideration of the movements of plural vehicles around a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a follow-up run control device according to first to fifth embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the run control carried out by the follow-up run control device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating an example of a relation between a vehicle lane probability and a correction coefficient, which are used in the follow-up run control device according to the fifth embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1, 201, 301, 401, 501: FOLLOW-UP RUN CONTROL DEVICE     -   10: VEHICLE CONTROL ECU (DEVIATION ACQUIRING MEANS, FOLLOW-UP         CONTROL AMOUNT CALCULATING MEANS, VEHICLE LANE PROBABILITY         ACQUIRING MEANS)     -   26: WIRELESS CONTROL ECU (INTER-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION MEANS)     -   26 a: WIRELESS ANTENNA (INTER-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION MEANS)     -   L_(1r), L₁, L₂, L₃: INFER-VEHICLE DISTANCE (RELATIVE POSITIONAL         RELATION)     -   L_(tgt) _(—) _(1r), L_(tgt) _(—) ₁, L_(tgt) _(—) ₂, L_(tgt) _(—)         ₃: TARGET INTER-VEHICLE DISTANCE (TARGET RELATIVE POSITIONAL         RELATION)     -   D_(1r), D₁, D₂, D₃: INTER-VEHICLE ERROR (DEVIATION)     -   D_(1r)′, D₁′, D₂′, D₃′: RELATIVE SPEED     -   M₀: VEHICLE     -   M_(1r), M₁, M₂, M₃: PERIPHERAL VEHICLE

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a follow-up run control device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

A follow-up run control device according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described. The follow-up run control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that is mounted on a vehicle M₀ shown in FIG. 2 and that carries out a follow-up run of the vehicle M₀ so as to correspond to running states of peripheral vehicles running around the vehicle M₀. The follow-up run control device 1 can carry out the follow-up run when plural peripheral vehicles exist, and it is assumed herein that three peripheral vehicles are running before the vehicle M₀, as shown in FIG. 2.

In the following description, the first peripheral vehicle running before the vehicle M₀ is represented by “M₁”, the second peripheral vehicle is represented by “M₂”, and the third peripheral vehicle is represented by “M₃”. A vehicle T is shown before the peripheral vehicle M₃ in FIG. 2. Although the details will be described later, as the running state of the vehicle T does not have any influence on the run control of the vehicle M₀, the vehicle T is not referred to as a “peripheral vehicle”. That is, only when the running state of a vehicle has an influence on the run control of the vehicle M₀ is the vehicle referred to as a “peripheral vehicle” and represented by a reference sign “M_(x)”. It is assumed that all of the vehicle M₀, the peripheral vehicles M₁ to M₃, and the vehicle T travel in the same lane in the direction of arrow Y.

In the vehicle M₀, an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle (which is the peripheral vehicle M₁ in this case) running just before is represented by “L₁”, a target inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is represented by “L_(tgt) _(—) ₁”, and an error between the inter-vehicle distance L₁ and the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₁ is represented by “D₁”. In the peripheral vehicle M_(n-1), an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle (which is the peripheral vehicle M_(n) in this case) is represented by “L_(n)”, a target inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle is represented by “L_(tgt) _(—) _(n)”, and an error between the inter-vehicle distance L_(n) and the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₁, is represented by “D_(n)” (where n=2, 3, 4).

As described above, the vehicle M₀ is mounted with the follow-up run control device 1 described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the follow-up run control device 1 includes a vehicle control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10. The vehicle control ECU 10 is an electronic control unit which controls the follow-up run control device 1 as a whole and is mainly constructed, for example, by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The vehicle control ECU 10 includes an information storage unit 10 a storing information temporarily or long term.

The follow-up run control device 1 includes sensors sensing the running state of the vehicle. The sensors include a front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a, a rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a, a vehicle speed sensor 23 a, and an acceleration sensor 24 a.

The front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a senses the inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle running just before the vehicle. Similarly, the rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a senses the inter-vehicle distance from a vehicle running just behind the vehicle. The front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a and the rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a employ millimeter wave radars disposed in the front portion and the rear portion of the vehicle, respectively. The signal acquired from the front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a is processed by a front sensor ECU 21 and is transmitted as front inter-vehicle distance information to the vehicle control ECU 10. Similarly, the signal acquired from the rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a is processed by a rear sensor ECU 22 and is transmitted as rear inter-vehicle distance information to the vehicle control ECU 10.

The front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a can sense the distances from plural vehicles including a vehicle preceding the preceding vehicle in addition to the distance from the preceding vehicle running just before the vehicle. Similarly, the rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a can sense the distances from plural vehicles including a vehicle behind the following vehicle in addition to the distance from the following vehicle running just behind the vehicle.

The vehicle speed sensor 23 a senses the speed of the vehicle. For example, an electromagnetic pickup sensor sensing a wheel speed is used as the vehicle speed sensor 23 a. The signal acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 23 a is processed by a vehicle speed sensor ECU 23 and is transmitted as vehicle speed information to the vehicle control ECU 10. For example, a gas rate sensor or gyro sensor is used as an acceleration sensor 24 a. The signal acquired by the acceleration sensor 24 a is processed by an acceleration sensor ECU 24 and is transmitted as acceleration information to the vehicle control ECU 10.

The front sensor ECU 21, the rear sensor ECU 22, the vehicle speed sensor ECU 23, and the acceleration sensor ECU 24 are connected to the vehicle control ECU 10 through a communication-sensor system CAN 20 constructed as an intra-vehicle network.

As described above, the follow-up run control device 1 can acquire the front inter-vehicle distance information, the rear inter-vehicle distance information, the vehicle speed information, and the acceleration information of the vehicle by the use of the above-mentioned sensors. In the below description, the front inter-vehicle distance information, the rear inter-vehicle distance information, the vehicle speed information, and the acceleration information may also be referred to as “running state information” as a whole.

The follow-up run control device 1 includes an engine control ECU 31, a brake control ECU 32, and a steering control ECU 33 which perform operations of acceleration, deceleration, and steering of the vehicle. The engine control ECU 31 receives instructed acceleration value information transmitted from the vehicle control ECU 10 and operates a throttle actuator 31 a by an amount of operation corresponding to the instructed acceleration value. The brake control ECU 32 receives the instructed acceleration value information and operates a brake actuator 32 a by an amount of operation corresponding to the instructed acceleration value. The steering control ECU 33 receives instructed steering value information transmitted from the vehicle control ECU 10 and operates a steering actuator 33 a by an amount of operation corresponding to the instructed steering value.

The follow-up run control device 1 includes a wireless antenna 26 a and a wireless control ECU 26 so as to exchange the running state information with another vehicle. The vehicles including the wireless antenna 26 a and the wireless control ECU 26 can carry out inter-vehicle communications with each other by the use of the wireless antenna 26 a and the wireless control ECU 26 to acquire the vehicle specification information, the running state information, the instructed acceleration value information, and other information of the other vehicles and to transmit the vehicle specification information, the running state information, the instructed acceleration value information, and other information of the vehicle. By this inter-vehicle communication, the vehicle control ECUs 10 of all the vehicles involved in the inter-vehicle communication can share a variety of information of all the vehicles. The wireless control ECU 26 is connected to the vehicle control ECU 10 through the communication-sensor system CAN 20.

A vehicle including the wireless antenna 26 a and the wireless control ECU 26 to perform the inter-vehicle communication with the vehicle M₀ exists among the peripheral vehicles M₁, M₂, . . . . In this way, a vehicle performing the inter-vehicle communication with the vehicle M₀ is referred to as the “communicating vehicle” in the below description and a vehicle not performing the inter-vehicle communication with the vehicle M₀ is referred to as the “non-communicating vehicle”.

Here, the peripheral vehicle M₁ is a communicating vehicle performing the inter-vehicle communication with the vehicle M₀ and controls the front inter-vehicle distance L₂ by setting the target inter-vehicle distance (target relative positional relation) L_(tgt) _(—) ₂ and measuring the front inter-vehicle distance (relative positional relation) L₂ by the use of the front inter-vehicle distance sensor. The peripheral vehicle M₁ calculates the relative speed dL₂/dt to the peripheral vehicle M₂ as a temporal differentiation of the front inter-vehicle distance L₂. The target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₂, the front inter-vehicle distance L₂, and the relative speed dL₂/dt can be transmitted to the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication.

Similarly, the peripheral vehicle M₂ is a communicating vehicle and controls the front inter-vehicle distance L₃ by setting the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₃ and measuring the front inter-vehicle distance L₃ by the use of the front inter-vehicle distance sensor. The peripheral vehicle M₂ calculates the relative speed dL₃/dt to the peripheral vehicle M₃ as a temporal differentiation of the front inter-vehicle distance L₃. The target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₃, the front inter-vehicle distance L₃, and the relative speed dL₃/dt can be transmitted to the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication.

On the other hand, the peripheral vehicle M₃ can set the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₄ and control the front inter-vehicle distance L₄. However, since the peripheral vehicle M₃ is a non-communicating vehicle, the vehicle control ECU 10 of the vehicle M₀ cannot acquire the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₄, the front inter-vehicle distance L₄, and the relative speed dL₄/dt with respect to the vehicle T.

An example of the follow-up run control of the vehicle M₀ carried out by the follow-up run control device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, the vehicle control ECU 10 receives all the information from the peripheral vehicles around the vehicle by the inter-vehicle communication (S101 in FIG. 3). For example, the vehicle IDs of the vehicles, the front inter-vehicle distance, the relative speed to a preceding vehicle, the speed, the acceleration, and the position are received by the inter-vehicle communication.

Then, the vehicle control ECU 10 determines the peripheral vehicles having an influence on the run control of the vehicle M₀ on the basis of the received data acquired by the inter-vehicle communication (S103). That is, for example, vehicles running in the same lane as the vehicle M₀ are extracted on the basis of the receive data. Here, since the vehicles including the vehicle M₃ before the vehicle (vehicle M₂) running in the forefront among the communicating vehicles in the same lane have an influence on the run control of the vehicle M₀, the vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃ are determined as the peripheral vehicles.

Then, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₂, the inter-vehicle distance L₂, the inter-vehicle error D₂, and the relative speed dL₂/dt of the peripheral vehicle M₁ with respect to the preceding vehicle (peripheral vehicle M₂) running just before. Similarly, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₃, the inter-vehicle distance L₃, the inter-vehicle error D₃, and the relative speed dL₃/dt of the peripheral vehicle M₂ with respect to the preceding vehicle (peripheral vehicle M₃) running just before (S105).

Specifically, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₂, the front inter-vehicle distance L₂, and the relative speed dL₂/dt of the peripheral vehicle M₁ with respect to the peripheral vehicle M₂ by the inter-vehicle communication with the peripheral vehicle M₁. Then, the vehicle control ECU calculates the inter-vehicle error D₂ from the difference between the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₂ and the front inter-vehicle distance L₂.

Similarly, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₃, the front inter-vehicle distance L₃, and the relative speed dL₃/dt of the peripheral vehicle M₂ with respect to the peripheral vehicle M₃ by the inter-vehicle communication with the peripheral vehicle M₂. Then, the vehicle control ECU calculates the inter-vehicle error D₃ from the difference between the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₃ and the front inter-vehicle distance L₃. Since the peripheral vehicle M₃ located in the foremost is a non-communicating vehicle, the information regarding the relation of the peripheral vehicle M₃ with the preceding vehicle cannot be acquired by the inter-vehicle communication.

The method of allowing the vehicle control ECU 10 to acquire the front inter-vehicle distances L₂ and L₃ is not limited to the inter-vehicle communication between the peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂, but the inter-vehicle distances L₂ and L₃ may be acquired on the basis of the distance to the peripheral vehicle M₂ or the distance to the peripheral vehicle M₃ measured by the front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a of the vehicle M₀. According to this method, it is possible to acquire the inter-vehicle distance L₄ which could not be acquired by the inter-vehicle communication. By calculating differences in current position between the vehicles M₀, M₁, M₂, and M₃, the inter-vehicle distances L₁, L₂, and L₃ may be acquired.

The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₁, from the peripheral vehicle M₁ as a preceding vehicle, the inter-vehicle distance L₁ (front inter-vehicle distance), the inter-vehicle error D₁, and the relative speed dL₁/dt with respect to the preceding vehicle in the vehicle M₀ (S107). Specifically, the vehicle control ECU 10 sets the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₁ as a target of the front inter-vehicle distance of the vehicle M₀ and acquires the actual front inter-vehicle distance L₁ by the use of the front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a. The vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the inter-vehicle error D₁ from the difference between the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₁ and the front inter-vehicle distance L₁. The vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the relative speed dL₁/dt to the peripheral vehicle M₁ as a temporal differentiation of the front inter-vehicle distance L₁.

The relative speeds dL₁/dt, dL₂/dt, and dL₃/dt can be considered as the temporal differentiations of the inter-vehicle errors D₁, D₂, and D₃, and are thus expressed as the relative speeds D₁′, D₂′, and D₃′ in the following description. The vehicle control ECU 10 may acquire the relative speeds D₁′, D₂′, and D₃′ by calculating the temporal differentiations of the acquired inter-vehicle errors D₁, D₂, and D₃. As described above, the vehicle control ECU 10 can acquire the inter-vehicle errors D₁, D₂, and D₃ and the relative speeds D₁′, D₂′, and D₃′ through the processes of steps S105 and S107, and the vehicle control ECU 10 serves as the deviation acquiring means.

The vehicle control ECU 10 calculates a feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) of the vehicle M₀ using Expression (1.1) (S115). Here, the vehicle control ECU 10 serves as the follow-up control amount calculating means.

$\begin{matrix} {u_{fb} = {{k_{1}D_{1}} + {c_{1}D_{1}^{\prime}} + {k_{2}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2}} \right)} + {c_{2}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime}} \right)} + {k_{3}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3}} \right)} + {c_{3}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime} + D_{3}^{\prime}} \right)}}} & {{Expression}\mspace{14mu}(1.1)} \end{matrix}$

Here, k₁ to k₃ and c₁ to c₃ in Expression (1.1) are constants and the values thereof are determined in advance on the basis of a design idea desired by a designer of the follow-up run control device 1 and stored in advance in the information storage unit 10 a of the vehicle control ECU 10.

The vehicle control ECU 10 carries out the acceleration and deceleration control of the vehicle M₀ by transmitting the calculated feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) to the engine control ECU 31 and the brake control ECU 32 (S117). By repeatedly performing the processes of steps S101 to S117 in the course of running, the follow-up run control of the vehicle M₀ based on the running states of the peripheral vehicles M₁ to M₃ is carried out.

Here, the meaning of Expression (1.1) will be reviewed. As shown in FIG. 2, the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle M₀ is controlled on the basis of a control model in which a spring damper unit KC₁ is connected between the vehicle M₀ and the peripheral vehicle M₁, a spring damper unit KC₂ is connected between the vehicle M₀ and the peripheral vehicle M₂, and a spring damper unit KC₃ is connected between the vehicle M₀ and the peripheral vehicle M₃. Here, the spring damper unit KC₁ includes a spring K₁ with a spring constant k₁ and a damper C₁ with a damping coefficient c₁ connected in parallel, the spring damper unit KC₂ includes a spring K₂ with a spring constant k₂ and a damper C₂ with a damping coefficient c₂ connected in parallel, and the spring damper unit KC₃ includes a spring K₃ with a spring constant k₃ and a damper C₃ with a damping coefficient c₃ connected in parallel.

Therefore, according to the follow-up run control device 1, it is possible to carry out the follow-up run in consideration of the movements of three peripheral vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃ existing around the vehicle M₀.

For example, when the vehicle T is suddenly decelerated and the peripheral vehicle M₃ is later decelerated, the vehicle M₀ can rapidly start its deceleration due to the operation of the spring damper unit KC₃ before the deceleration of the peripheral vehicle M₃ is transmitted to the peripheral vehicle M₂. In this way, since the vehicle M₀ can rapidly move in response to the movements of the group of the preceding peripheral vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃, it is possible to improve the driver's feeling of security in addition to the stability of the follow-up run. At this time, since the deceleration is rapidly transmitted to the following vehicle of the vehicle M₀ through the brake lamp by the rapid braking of the vehicle M₀ and thus the delay in movement of the following vehicle is reduced, it is possible to reduce the bad influence on the total traffic flow.

Although it has been described in this embodiment that three peripheral vehicles exist, the similar control can be carried out even when any number of peripheral vehicles exist. That is, when m (where m=2, 3, . . . ) peripheral vehicles are set in front of the vehicle M₀, the inter-vehicle errors D₁, D₂, . . . , and D_(m) and the relative speeds D₁′, D₂′, . . . , and D_(m)′ are acquired similarly to the above-mentioned method and the feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) of the vehicle M₀ is calculated using Expression (1.2).

$\begin{matrix} {u_{fb} = {{k_{1}D_{1}} + {c_{1}D_{1}^{\prime}} + {k_{2}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2}} \right)} + {c_{2}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime}} \right)} + \ldots + {k_{m}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + \ldots + D_{m}} \right)} + {c_{m}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime} + \ldots + D_{m}^{\prime}} \right)}}} & {{Expression}\mspace{14mu}(1.2)} \end{matrix}$

Second Embodiment

The follow-up run control device according to the second embodiment of the invention will be described. The physical configuration of the follow-up run control device 201 according to this embodiment mounted on the vehicle M₀ is the same as the follow-up run control device 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and thus repeated description thereof is not made.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the peripheral vehicle M₁ sets the peripheral vehicle M₂ which is the preceding vehicle as a follow-up target and controls the front inter-vehicle communication L₂ by self ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control). In this case, the target acceleration u₁ of the peripheral vehicle M₁ is expressed by Expression (2.1). u ₁ =k ₄ D ₂ +C ₄ D ₂′  Expression (2.1) This expression is based on a control model in which the peripheral vehicle M₁ is connected to the peripheral vehicle M₂ through a spring damper unit KC₄ including a spring K₄ with a spring constant k₄ and a damper C₄ with a damping coefficient c₄, as shown in FIG. 4. The target acceleration u₁ is transmitted to the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication.

Similarly, it is assumed that the peripheral vehicle M₂ sets the peripheral vehicle M₃ which is the preceding vehicle as a follow-up target and controls the front inter-vehicle communication L₃ by self ACC. In this case, the target acceleration u₂ of the peripheral vehicle M₂ is expressed by Expression (2.2). u ₂ =k ₅ D ₃ +C ₅ D ₃′  Expression (2.2) This expression is based on a control model in which the peripheral vehicle M₂ is connected to the peripheral vehicle M₃ through a spring damper unit KC₅ including a spring K₅ with a spring constant k₅ and a damper C₅ with a damping coefficient c₅, as shown in FIG. 4. The target acceleration u₂ is transmitted to the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication.

An example of the follow-up run control carried out by the follow-up run control device 201 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the processes equal or equivalent to the processes shown in FIG. 3 are referenced by like reference signs and the repeated description thereof is not made.

After the vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃ are determined as the peripheral vehicles through the processes of steps S101 and S103, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target acceleration u₁ from the peripheral vehicle M₁ and acquires the target acceleration u₂ from the peripheral vehicle M₂ by the inter-vehicle communication (S205). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle error D₁ and the relative speed D₁′ in the vehicle M₀ (S107).

Then, the vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) of the vehicle M₀ using Expression (2.3) obtained by adding the target accelerations u₁ and u₂ acquired from the peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂ to the expression for controlling the front inter-vehicle distance L₁ of the vehicle M₀ in a feed-forward manner (S215). u _(fb) =u ₁ +u ₂+(k ₁ D ₁ +c ₁ D ₁′)  Expression (2.3) Then, the calculated feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) is transmitted to the engine control ECU 31 and the brake control ECU 32 (S117).

Here, Expressions (2.1) and (2.2) are inserted into u₁ and u₂ in Expression (2.3) to obtain Expression (2.4). u _(fb)=(k ₄ D ₂ +C ₄ D ₂′)+(k ₅ D ₃ +C ₅ D ₃′)+(k ₁ D ₁ +c ₁ D ₁′)  Expression (2.4) This expression can be changed and arranged into Expression (2.5) which has the form similar to Expression (1.1).

$\begin{matrix} {u_{fb} = {{\alpha_{1}D_{1}} + {\beta_{1}D_{1}^{\prime}} + {\alpha_{2}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2}} \right)} + {\beta_{2}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime}} \right)} + {\alpha_{3}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3}} \right)} + {\beta_{3}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime} + D_{3}^{\prime}} \right)}}} & {{Expression}\mspace{14mu}(2.5)} \end{matrix}$ (where α₁ to α₃ are constants including k₁, k₄, and k₅ and β₁ to β₃ are constants including c₁, c₄, and c₅) Therefore, according to the follow-up run control device 201, it is possible to carry out the follow-up run in consideration of the movements three peripheral vehicles M₁ to M₃ existing around the vehicle M₀, similarly to the follow-up run control device 1.

Since the target acceleration u₁ of Expression (2.1) includes the inter-vehicle error D₂ and the relative speed D₂′, the step (S205) of acquiring the target acceleration u₁ by the use of the vehicle control ECU 10 is substantially equal to the step of acquiring the information regarding the front inter-vehicle error D₂ of the peripheral vehicle M₁.

Similarly, since the target acceleration u₂ of Expression (2.2) includes the inter-vehicle error D₃ and the relative speed D₃′, the step (S205) of acquiring the target acceleration u₂ by the use of the vehicle control ECU 10 is substantially equal to the step of acquiring the information regarding the front inter-vehicle error D₃ of the peripheral vehicle M₂. Therefore, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquiring the target accelerations u₁ and u₂ in the process of step S205 according to this embodiment serves as the deviation acquiring means acquiring the information regarding the deviation.

Third Embodiment

The follow-up run control device according to the third embodiment of the invention will be described. The physical configuration of the follow-up run control device 301 according to this embodiment mounted on the vehicle M₀ is the same as the follow-up run control device 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and thus repeated description thereof is not made.

The follow-up run control device 301 considers the running states of peripheral vehicles behind the vehicle M₀ in addition to the control method of the follow-up run control device 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the peripheral vehicle M_(1r) running just behind the vehicle M₀ is a communicating vehicle and controls the front inter-vehicle distance L_(1r) while setting the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) _(1r) and measuring the front inter-vehicle distance L_(1r) by the use of the front inter-vehicle distance sensor. The peripheral vehicle M_(1r) calculates the relative speed dL_(1r)/dt of the vehicle M₀ as a temporal differentiation of the front inter-vehicle distance L_(1r). The peripheral vehicle M_(1r) can transmit the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) _(1r), the front inter-vehicle distance L_(1r), and the relative speed dL_(1r)/dt (relative speed D_(1r)′) to the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication.

An example of the follow-up run control of the vehicle M₀ carried out by the follow-up run control device 301 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the processes equal or equivalent to the processes shown in FIG. 3 are referenced by like reference signs and the repeated description thereof is not made.

First, the vehicle control ECU 10 determines the vehicles M_(1r), M₁, M₂, and M₃ as the peripheral vehicles through the processes of steps S101 and S103. Thereafter, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distances L_(tgt) _(—) _(1r), L_(tgt) _(—) ₂, and L_(tgt) _(—) ₃, the front inter-vehicle distances L_(1r), L₂, and L₃, and the relative speeds dL_(1r)/dt, dL₂/dt, and dL₃/dt by the inter-vehicle communications with the peripheral vehicles M_(1r), M₁, and M₂ and acquires the inter-vehicle errors D_(1r), D₂, and D₃ and the relative speeds D_(1r)′, D₂′, and D₃′ by calculations (S105). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle error D₁ and the relative speed D₁′ in the vehicle M₀ (S107). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle errors D_(1r), D₁, D₂, and D₃ and the relative speeds D_(1r)′, D₁′, D₂′, and D₃′ through the processes of steps S105 and S107.

Then, the vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) of the vehicle M₀ using Expression (3.1) (S315).

$\begin{matrix} {u_{fb} = {{k_{1}D_{1}} + {c_{1}D_{1}^{\prime}} + {{k_{2}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2}} \right)}{c_{2}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime}} \right)}} + {k_{3}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3}} \right)} + {c_{3}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime} + D_{3}^{\prime}} \right)} - \left( {{k_{1\; r}D_{1\; r}} + {c_{1\; r}D_{1\; r}^{\prime}}} \right)}} & {{Expression}\mspace{14mu}(3.1)} \end{matrix}$

Thereafter, the calculated feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) is transmitted to the engine control ECU 31 and the brake control ECU 32 (S117).

Expression (3.1) is obtained by adding the term −(k_(1r)D_(1r)+c_(1r)D_(1r)′) to Expression (1.1). This term means the influence of the spring damper unit KC_(1r) shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, according to the follow-up run control device 301, it is possible to carry out the follow-up run in consideration of the movement of the following peripheral vehicle M_(1r) in addition to the movements of the peripheral vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃ considered by the follow-up run control device 1. By considering the movement the following vehicle in this way, it is possible to safely drive the vehicle M₀ in consideration of the rear inter-vehicle distance even when a following vehicle follows the vehicle M₀ with a small inter-vehicle distance.

When the peripheral vehicle M_(1r) is a non-communicating vehicle, the information from the peripheral vehicle M_(1r) cannot be acquired by the inter-vehicle communication, but the inter-vehicle error D_(1r) and the relative speed D_(1r)′ can be acquired by the following method, whereby the follow-up run control device 301 can carry out the follow-up run control. That is, in this case, the vehicle control ECU 10 of the vehicle M₀ sets the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) _(1r) as a target of the rear inter-vehicle distance and acquires the actual rear inter-vehicle distance L_(1r) by the use of the rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a. The vehicle control ECU calculates the inter-vehicle error D_(1r) from the difference between the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) _(1r) and the rear inter-vehicle distance L_(1r). The vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the relative speed dL_(1r)/dt (relative speed D_(1r)′) to the peripheral vehicle M₁ as a temporal differentiation of the rear inter-vehicle distance L_(1r).

Fourth Embodiment

The follow-up run control device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. The physical configuration of the follow-up run control device 401 according to this embodiment mounted on the vehicle M₀ is the same as the follow-up run control device 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and thus repeated description thereof is not made.

An example of the follow-up run control of the vehicle M₀ carried out by the follow-up run control device 401 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the processes equal or equivalent to the processes shown in FIG. 3 are referenced by like reference signs and the repeated description thereof is not made. As shown in FIG. 8, the peripheral vehicle M₁ is a communicating vehicle and the peripheral vehicle M₂ is a non-communicating vehicle.

First, the vehicle control ECU 10 determines the vehicles M₁ and M₂ as the peripheral vehicles through the processes of steps S101 and S103. Thereafter, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₂ between the peripheral vehicle M₁ and the peripheral vehicle M₂, the front inter-vehicle distance L₂, and the relative speed dL₂/dt, by the inter-vehicle communications with the peripheral vehicle M₁ and acquires the inter-vehicle error D₂ and the relative speed D₂′ by calculations (S105). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle error D₁ and the relative speed D₁′ in the vehicle M₀ (S107). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle errors D₁ and D₂ and the relative speeds D₁′ and D₂′ through the processes of steps S105 and S107.

Then, the vehicle control ECU 10 expresses the running states of the vehicle M₀ and the peripheral vehicle M₁ by the use of Expression (4.1) as a state space equation, where the acceleration a₁ of the peripheral vehicle M₁ and the acceleration a₀ of the vehicle M₀ are control inputs and the inter-vehicle errors D₁ and D₂ and the relative speeds D₁′ and D₂′ are state amounts, and applies the optimal control (LQ control) to the system expressed by Expression (4.1) as the state space equation.

$\begin{matrix} {{Expression}\mspace{14mu}(4.1)} & \; \\ \begin{matrix} {{\frac{\mathbb{d}}{\mathbb{d}t}X} = {\frac{\mathbb{d}}{\mathbb{d}t}\begin{bmatrix} D_{1} \\ D_{1}^{\prime} \\ D_{2} \\ D_{2}^{\prime} \end{bmatrix}}} \\ {= {{\begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} D_{1} \\ D_{1}^{\prime} \\ D_{2} \\ D_{2}^{\prime} \end{bmatrix}} + {\begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 1 & {- 1} \\ 0 & 0 \\ {- 1} & 0 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} a_{1} & a_{0} \end{bmatrix}} + {\begin{bmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}a_{2}}}} \\ {= {{A\; x} + {Bu} + {Hw}}} \end{matrix} & (4.1) \end{matrix}$

Here, a₂ in Expression (4.1) represents the acceleration of the peripheral vehicle M₂, which is treated as a disturbance in this system. Expression (4.2) is established. Expression (4.2) u _(fb) =Kx  (4.2) Here, K represents a feedback gain matrix, which is a 4×2 matrix. Since the vehicle control ECU 10 carries out the optimal control (LQ control) of the system expressed by Expression (4.1) as the state space equation, the feedback gain matrix K which minimize an evaluation function J expressed by Expression (4.3) is uniquely acquired (S409).

Expression  (4.3) $\begin{matrix} {J = {\int{\left\{ {{ɛ_{L}\left( {D_{1}^{2} + D_{2}^{2}} \right)} + {ɛ_{dL}\left( {\frac{\mathbb{d}D_{1}^{2}}{\mathbb{d}t} + \frac{\mathbb{d}D_{2}^{2}}{\mathbb{d}t}} \right)} + {ɛ_{u}\left( {a_{0}^{2} + a_{1}^{2}} \right)}} \right\}{\mathbb{d}t}}}} & (4.3) \end{matrix}$

Weights ε_(L), ε_(dL), and ε_(u) are set in the term associated with the inter-vehicle errors D₁ and D₂, the term associated with the relative speeds D₁′ and D₂′, and the term associated with the instructed acceleration values a₀ and a₁ In Expression (4.3) That is, by distributing the weights ε_(L), ε_(dL), and ε_(u) included in the evaluation function J, the balance of importance level is determined in an array run control including three factors of the stability in inter-vehicle distance, the decrease in relative speed, and the decrease in acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle (energy save of the acceleration and deceleration). Therefore, it is possible to carry out the array run control in which the three factors are weighted at the desired distribution ratios by adjusting the weights ε_(L), ε_(dL), and ε_(u). The values of the weights ε_(L), ε_(dL), and ε_(u) are determined in advance on the basis of a design idea desired by a designer of the follow-up run control device 1 and stored in advance in the information storage unit 10 a of the vehicle control ECU 10.

The acceleration a₁ of the peripheral vehicle M₁ and the acceleration a₀ of the vehicle M₀ are determined as follows using Expressions (4.4) and (4.5) and the feedback gain matrix K which minimize the evaluation function J (S415).

$\begin{matrix} {{Expressions}\mspace{14mu}(4.4)\mspace{14mu}{and}\mspace{14mu}(4.5)} & \; \\ {a_{1} = \left( {{k_{11} \cdot D_{1}} + {k_{12} \cdot \frac{\mathbb{d}D_{1}}{\mathbb{d}t}} + {k_{13} \cdot D_{2}} + {k_{14} \cdot \frac{\mathbb{d}D_{2}}{\mathbb{d}t}}} \right)} & (4.4) \\ {a_{0} = \left( {{k_{01} \cdot D_{1}} + {k_{02} \cdot \frac{\mathbb{d}D_{1}}{\mathbb{d}t}} + {k_{03} \cdot D_{2}} + {k_{04} \cdot \frac{\mathbb{d}D_{2}}{\mathbb{d}t}}} \right)} & (4.5) \end{matrix}$ In Expressions (4.4) and (4.5), 4×2 elements included in the feedback gain matrix K which minimize the evaluation function J are represented by attaching a subscript to “k”. The vehicle control ECU 10 transmits the determined acceleration a₀ as a target acceleration to the engine control ECU 31 and the brake control ECU 32 (S117). The vehicle control ECU 10 may transmit the determined acceleration a₁ to the peripheral vehicle M₁ by the inter-vehicle communication.

The peripheral vehicle M₁ may acquire the target acceleration a₁ from the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication. Alternatively, the peripheral vehicle M₁ may acquire the target acceleration a₁ by receiving information such as the inter-vehicle distance L₁ and the target inter-vehicle distance L_(tgt) _(—) ₁ from the vehicle by the inter-vehicle communication and performing the same calculation as the vehicle M₀. The peripheral vehicle M₁ increases or decreases its speed on the basis of the acquired target acceleration a₁.

According to this follow-up run control device 401, the vehicle M₀ can carry out the follow-up running in consideration of the movements of two peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂ existing around the vehicle. Since the optimal combination of the accelerations a₀ and a₁ is derived by the optimal control (LQ control) and the vehicle M₀ and the peripheral vehicle M₁ move in cooperation with each other to stabilize the inter-vehicle distances L₁ and L₂, it is possible to carry out the smooth and pleasant follow-up run and to stabilize the traffic flow.

Fifth Embodiment

The follow-up run control device according to the fifth embodiment of the invention will be described. The physical configuration of the follow-up run control device 501 according to this embodiment mounted on the vehicle M₀ is the same as the follow-up run control device 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and thus repeated description thereof is not made.

As shown in FIG. 10, the peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂ before the vehicle M₀ are communicating vehicles and the peripheral vehicle M₃ is a non-communicating vehicle. The peripheral vehicle M₃ is running in the right lane of the lane of the vehicle M₀, and will slowly cut in the lane of the vehicle M₀ by the lane change and run before the peripheral vehicle M₂.

In this case, when a vehicle running in a different lane and not being recognized as the peripheral vehicle is suddenly recognized as the front peripheral vehicle M₃ in the lane, a sudden feedback gain is applied to the run control of the vehicle M₀ to make the control discontinuous, which is not preferable. In a traffic flow in which various vehicles coexist, since another vehicle often cuts in or run out of the lane of the vehicle M₀, it is preferable to suppress the discontinuity in control in carrying out the follow-up run in consideration of the movements of plural peripheral vehicles.

An example of the follow-up run control of the vehicle M₀ carried out by the follow-up run control device 501 to suppress the discontinuity in control will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The following processes are processes carried out by the follow-up run control device 501 while the peripheral vehicle M₃ is changing its lane, as shown in FIG. 10. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the processes equal or equivalent to the processes shown in FIG. 3 are referenced by like reference signs and the repeated description thereof is not made.

First, the vehicle control ECU 10 determines the vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃ as the peripheral vehicles through the processes of steps S101 and S103. Thereafter, the vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the target inter-vehicle distances L_(tgt) _(—) ₂ and L_(tgt) _(—) ₃, the front inter-vehicle distances L₂ and L₃, and the relative speeds dL₂/dt and dL₃/dt by the inter-vehicle communications with the peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂ and acquires the inter-vehicle errors D₂ and D₃ and the relative speed D₂′ and D₃′ by calculations (S105). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle error D₁ and the relative speed D₁′ in the vehicle M₀ (S107). The vehicle control ECU 10 acquires the inter-vehicle errors D₁, D₂, and D₃ and the relative speeds D₁′, D₂′, and D₃′ through the processes of steps S105 and S107.

Then, the vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the vehicle lane probability P₁ of the peripheral vehicle M₁, the vehicle lane probability P₂ of the peripheral vehicle M₂, and the vehicle lane probability P₃ of the peripheral vehicle M₃ (S509). That is, the vehicle control ECU 10 serves as the vehicle lane probability acquiring means. The vehicle lane probability is an indicator representing an accuracy that a peripheral vehicle exists in the same lane as the vehicle M₀ and, in other words, is the probability with which it can be said that “the peripheral vehicle is a vehicle running in the same lane as the vehicle M₀”. The vehicle lane probability has a value in the range of 0% to 100%, increases as the position of a peripheral vehicle becomes closer to the front side of the vehicle M₀, and decreases as the position of a peripheral vehicle becomes farther from the front side of the vehicle M_(n). In this example, since the peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂ are running in front of the vehicle M₀, the vehicle lane probabilities P₁ and P₂ are 100% and constant. Since the peripheral vehicle M₃ slowly becomes closer to the front side of the vehicle M₀, the vehicle lane probability P₃ of the peripheral vehicle M₃ slowly increases.

In order to calculate the vehicle lane probability of a peripheral vehicle, it is necessary to sense the lateral position (the position in the direction perpendicular to the lane) of the peripheral vehicle. Therefore, the follow-up run control device 501 may include, for example, a millimeter-wave radar disposed in the front or rear portion of the vehicle M₀ as the lateral position sensing means of the peripheral vehicle. For example, the lateral position of the peripheral vehicle may be sensed using the millimeter-wave radar disposed in the front inter-vehicle distance sensor 21 a or the rear inter-vehicle distance sensor 22 a. The peripheral vehicles M₁ and M₂ may sense the lateral positions of the peripheral vehicles M₂ and M₃ in front thereof, respectively, and may transmit the sensed position information to the vehicle M₀ by the inter-vehicle communication.

The vehicle control ECU 10 derives correction coefficients ε₁, ε₂, and ε₃ corresponding to the calculated vehicle lane probabilities P₁, P₂, and P₃ (S511). The correction coefficients ε₁, ε₂, and ε₃ are coefficients which are used to calculate the feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) and to adjust the weight of the influence of the peripheral vehicles M₁, M₂, and M₃ on the feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb). As shown in FIG. 12, the correction coefficients ε₁, ε₂, and ε₃ are correlated with the vehicle lane probabilities P₁, P₂, and P₃ in advance, and the correction coefficients ε₁, ε₂, and ε₃ increase as the vehicle lane probabilities P₁, P₂, and P₃. In this example, the correction coefficients ε₁ and ε₂ are constant and the correction coefficient ε₃ slowly increases with the progress of the lane change of the peripheral vehicle M₃.

The vehicle control ECU 10 calculates the feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) of the vehicle M₀ using Expression (5.1) (S515).

$\begin{matrix} {u_{fb} = {{ɛ_{1}\left\{ {{k_{1}D_{1}} + {c_{1}D_{1}^{\prime}}} \right\}} + {ɛ_{2}\left\{ {{k_{2}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2}} \right)} + {c_{2}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime}} \right)}} \right\}} + {ɛ_{3}\left\{ {{k_{3}\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3}} \right)} + {c_{3}\left( {D_{1}^{\prime} + D_{2}^{\prime} + D_{3}^{\prime}} \right)}} \right\}}}} & {{Expression}\mspace{14mu}(5.1)} \end{matrix}$ Thereafter, the calculated feedback instructed acceleration value u_(fb) is transmitted to the engine control ECU 31 and the brake control ECU 32 (S117).

Expression (5.1) is obtained by adding the correction coefficients ε₁, ε₂, and ε₃ to Expression (1.1). The correction coefficients ε₁, ε₂, and ε₃ mean the magnitudes of the influences of the spring damper units KC₁, KC₂, and KC₃ shown in FIG. 10. Particularly, in this example, as the peripheral vehicle M₃ slowly becomes closer to the front side of the vehicle M₀, the correction coefficient ε₃ increases slowly and continuously, which means that the influence of the spring damper unit KC₃ increases slowly and continuously. Therefore, according to the follow-up run control device 501, even when the peripheral vehicle M₃ slowly cuts in the lane of the vehicle M₀, it is possible to suppress the discontinuity in run control of the vehicle M₀ by slowly adding the influence of the movement of the peripheral vehicle M₃. Expression (5.1) includes ε₁ and ε₂ associated with the vehicle lane probabilities of the peripheral vehicle M₁ and the peripheral vehicle M₂. Accordingly, even when the peripheral vehicle M₁ and the peripheral vehicle M₂ change the lanes, it is possible to suppress the discontinuity in run control of the vehicle M₀ by the same effect.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention relates to a follow-up run control device controlling a running state of a vehicle in a state where peripheral vehicles running before or behind the vehicle exist and implements the follow-up run in consideration of movements of plural vehicles around the vehicle. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A follow-up run control device controlling a running state of a vehicle in a state where peripheral vehicles running before or behind the vehicle exist, comprising: determination means for determining the peripheral vehicles having an influence on a run control of the vehicle, wherein the peripheral vehicles performing inter-vehicle communication with the vehicle are communicating peripheral vehicles, and wherein at least one of the peripheral vehicles running in a forefront among the communicating peripheral vehicles in a same lane has an influence on a run control of the vehicle; deviation acquiring means for acquiring information regarding a deviation between a relative positional relation and a target relative positional relation of the vehicle and the peripheral vehicles with respect to preceding vehicles running just before; and follow-up control amount calculating means for calculating a follow-up control amount of the vehicle to control the running state of the vehicle on the basis of the information regarding the deviations of a plurality of vehicles acquired by the deviation acquiring means, wherein when m (where m=2, 3, . . . ) peripheral vehicles exist, the follow-up control amount u of the vehicle calculated by the follow-up control amount calculating means is expressed by the following expression, u = k₁D₁ + c₁D₁^(′) + k₂(D₁ + D₂) + c₂(D₁^(′) + D₂^(′)) + … + k_(m)(D₁ + D₂ + … + D_(m)) + c_(m)(D₁^(′) + D₂^(′) + … + D_(m)^(′)) where D₁ represents the deviation between the relative positional relation and the target relative positional relation of the vehicle with respect to the preceding vehicle thereof, D₁′ represents the temporal differentiation of the deviation D₁, D_(n) represents the deviation between the relative positional relation and the target relative positional relation of the (n−1)-th peripheral vehicle before the vehicle with respect to the preceding vehicle thereof, D_(n)′ represents the temporal differentiation of the deviation D_(n), and k₁ to k_(m) and c₁ to c_(m) are constants.
 2. The follow-up run control device according to claim 1, wherein the deviation acquiring means acquires the information regarding the deviations of the communicating peripheral vehicles by inter-vehicle communications with the corresponding communicating peripheral vehicles, and wherein the follow-up control amount calculating means calculates the follow-up control amount of the vehicle and the follow-up control amounts of the communicating peripheral vehicles on the basis of the information regarding the deviations of a plurality of vehicles acquired by the deviation acquiring means.
 3. The follow-up run control device according to claim 1, further comprising vehicle lane probability acquiring means for acquiring a vehicle lane probability representing accuracy likelihood that one peripheral vehicle exists in the same lane as the vehicle, wherein the follow-up control amount calculating means calculates the follow-up control amount of the vehicle additionally on the basis of the vehicle lane probabilities of the peripheral vehicles.
 4. The follow-up run control device according to claim 2, further comprising vehicle lane probability acquiring means for acquiring a vehicle lane probability representing accuracy likelihood that one peripheral vehicle exists in the same lane as the vehicle, wherein the follow-up control amount calculating means calculates the follow-up control amount of the vehicle additionally on the basis of the vehicle lane probabilities of the peripheral vehicles. 